Sheet of elastic covers for containers

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to improvements in container lid devices and more particularly to novel and practical container lids of the type adapted to be snapped or sprung over the marginal bead of a container. The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein comprises a lid device of the type referred to above which includes a stretchable cover sheet such as a sheet or film of plastic material, and an annular stretchable washer-like sheet member adhered to the underside of the cover sheet for gripping the external peripheral surface of a container. The inner diameter of the unstretched annular member is less than the maximum diameter of the bead of the container to which it is to be applied so as to require the cover sheet and annular member to be stretched in order to spring or snap the lid device periphery over the container bead.

United States Patent 1- [111 3,862,614

Kovae e [451 Jan. 2a, 1975 [54] SHEET 0F ELASTIC COVERS FOR 525,891 9/l940 Great Britain .215/317 CONTAINERS I Inventor: Michael Kovac,.St. Louis, Mo.

Assignee: Illinois Tool Works lnc., Chicago,

Filed: Jan. 23, 1974 Appl. No.: 435,636

Related US. Application Data Continuation of Ser. No. 221,579, Jan. 28,1972, abandoned.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1916 Nussbaumer 215/305 12/1936 Brandstein 215/321 5/1939 Gammeter 215/317 9/1965 Williams 206/820 12/1965 Whiteford 206/820 211967 Midgley et a1. 215/321 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Denmark 215/317 Primary Examiner-William 1. Price Assistant Examiner-Stephen Marcus Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Olson, Trexler, Wolters, Bushnell & Fosse, Ltd.

[57] ABSTRACT The present invention relates generally to improvements in container lid devices and more particularly to novel and practicalcontainer lids of the type adapted to be snapped or sprung over the marginal bead of a container. The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein comprises a lid device of the type referred to above which includes a stretchable cover sheet such as a sheet or film of plastic material, and an annular stretchable washer-like sheet member adhered to the underside of the cover sheet for gripping the external peripheral surface of a container. The inner diameter of the unstretched annular member is less than the maximum diameter of the bead of the container to which it is to be applied so as to require the cover sheet and annular member to be stretched in order to spring or snap the lid device periphery overthe container bead.

1 Claim, 9 Drawing Figures 1 SHEET OF ELASTIC COVERS FOR CONTAINERS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS This is a continuation application of Ser. No. 221 ,579 filed Jan. 28, 1972, now abandoned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Relatively thin sheet plastic material is available which may be stretched over the open end of a container. Various devices have heretofore been suggested for retaining such stretched plastic material in firm covering relation with the container margin. It is an important object of the present invention to provide an improved, practical lid device which is particularly applicable for use with containers having a marginal bead.

More specifically the present invention contemplates the provision of means in association with the underside of the sheet of stretchable plastic material or film which serves to materially facilitate the ease with which a lid device may be applied to or detached from the margin of a container.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved lid device of the type set forth above wherein a structurally simple and very inexpensive means in association with the underside of the abovementioned stretchable plastic film will assure a hermetically sealed contact with the container immediately beneath the beaded margin thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The foregoing and other objects and advantages will be more apparent from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of theupper portion of a container equipped with a lid device of the type contemplated by the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the cover device before application thereof to a container;

FIG. 3 is a central transverse sectional view of the lid device taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary central sectional view of the device illustrated in FIG. I disclosing the manner in which the lid device contemplated hereby may be manually manipulated in the initial application thereof to the margin of the container;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 4 disclosing the lid device after complete association thereof with the container;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view similar to that disclosed at the right side of FIG. 5, more clearly to illustrate the function of the annular washerlike elastic member in impinging the external peripheral surface of the container immediately adjacent the underside of the container bead;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG.

6 disclosing the manner in which the lid device may be DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION Referring now to the drawing more in detail wherein like numerals have been employed to designate similar parts throughout the various figures, it will be seen that a lid device of the type contemplated by the present invention is designated generally by the numeral 10. The lid device 10 includes a cover section or'sheet 12 of relatively thin, film-like stretchable sheet material, as for example suitable plastic sheet material. Adhered to the underside of the cover sheet 12 is an annular stretchable or elastic washer-like member 14.

Before application of the combined cover sheet 12 and washer member 14, these associated parts appear as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, namely in flat condition with the washer member 14 adhered to the underside of the flat stretchable cover sheet 12. In order to initially apply the lid device 10 to a container 16 having a marginal head 18, a peripheralsection of the lid device is first applied as shown in FIG. 4. In this relation a section of the washer l4 and the peripheral section of the cover 12 adjacent thereto occupy a position at substantially with respect to the position illustrated in FIG. 3. The normal inner diameter of the stretchable washer member 14 is less than the maximum diameter of the container bead 18, thus requiring both the washer member and .plasticcover film to be stretched across the opening of the container 12 in order to cause the washer member 14 to completely encircle and impinge the outer peripheral surface of the container 16 immediately beneath the bead 18, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. In this position the washer member 14 sealingly engages the container periphery and the cover section or member 12 is tightly stretched across the open extremity of the container.

To facilitate the ease with which the lid device 10 may be applied to the beaded margin of the container, a tab 20 formed integral with and projecting radially, from the outer periphery of the cover member 12 may be gripped manually, as illustrated in FIG. 4. In this manner the cover member 12 and the annular member or washer member 14 adhered thereto can be stretched to the right, as viewed in FIG. 4, and then urged downwardly as indicated by the directional arrow. This will cause the lid device to assume the covering relation with the end of the container 16, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The tendency for the elastic washer member to return to its normal smaller diameter serves effectively to maintain aggressive washer impingement with the container periphery.

While the firm impingement of the annular member or washer 14 with the container periphery functions to retain the lid device in proper container covering position, subsequent detachment or removal of the lid device is greatly facilitated by the tab 20. As shown in FIG. 7, the tab 20 may be gripped manually and shifted in the direction indicated by the arrow. As shown in FIG. 7, the inner periphery of the washer 14 need not be adhered to the cover member 12 so that if desirable, when the lid device is used with a container having an overhanging lip, additional aggressive engagement of the washer with the container lip is provided.

The present invention contemplates the production of the above-described Iid devices 10 in the form of plastic sheets designated generally by the numeral 22 in FIG. 8 and by the numeral 24 in FIG. 9. The sections 26 in FIG. 8 are strengthening ribs or interconnecting areas between adjacent rings 14 which can provide separation of one or more rings for specific purposes as may be desirable. In such instances the sections 26 and the corners of the sheet material radiating from the cover section 12 serve as tabs similar to the abovedescribed tabs to facilitate attachment and removal of the lid devices. In FIG. 9 frangible connections 28 serve to facilitate individual detachment of lid devices from the sheet 24.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present invention contemplates an extremely simple lid device for containers which may be produced at extremely low cost. The annular members or sections 14 may be formed from suitable elastic stock either of plastic or rubber-like material. In fact, the present invention envisions the use of washer members or gaskets of the general type which have heretofore been clamped against the upper margin of glass containers or jars. Causing the annular member or washer to be shifted from its normal position in a plane parallel to the cover sheet to a position 90 with respect to said plane makes it possible to employ the surface of the washer member to firmly impinge the container periphery as previously described. In this position, a section of the washer member 14 and the peripheral section of the cover 12 thereto are disposed at substantially 90 with respect to the position illustrated in FIG. 3.

It should be understood that various materials may be employed in the fabrication of the combined sheet and washer members provided such materials have the above-described functional characteristics.

1 claim:

l. A lid device for application to the upper margin defining the open end of a container including sheet material forming a plurality of stretchable annular sheets, each of said stretchable cover sheets having an annnular washer member of sheet material presenting oppositely disposed substantially flat parallel surfaces, one of which has the outer periphery thereof adhered to the underside of said cover sheet and the inner periphery thereof free to move relative to said underside with the other surface exposed for subsequent impingement over substantially the entire radial width thereof with the external peripheral surface of a complementai'y container, said annular washer member having an initial inner diameter which is normally less than the maximum diameter of the upper margin of a container with which it is to be associated so as to require the cover sheet and annular member to be stretched manually in order to force the lid device periphery over the container margin with the aforesaid other surface of said elastic annular washer member impinging the peripheral surface of a complementary container over a substantial axial extent thereof with the free inner periphery adapted to be immediately beneath the upper margin thereof. and frangible means provided within said sheet material to facilitate detachment of each of said lid devices. 

1. A lid device for application to the upper margin defining the open end of a container including sheet material forming a plurality of stretchable annular sheets, each of said stretchable cover sheets having an annnular washer member of sheet material presenting oppositely disposed substantially flat parallel surfaces, one of which has the outer periphery thereof adhered to the underside of said cover sheet and the inner periphery thereof free to move relative to said underside with the other surface exposed for subsequent impingement over substantially the entire radial width thereof with the external peripheral surface of a complementary container, said annular washer member having an initial inner diameter which is normally less than the maximum diameter of the upper margin of a container with which it is to be associated so as to require the cover sheet and annular member to be stretched manually in order to force the lid device periphery over the container margin with the aforesaid other surface of said elastic annular washer member impinging the peripheral surface of a complementary container over a substantial axial extent thereof with the free inner periphery adapted to be immediately beneath the upper margin thereof, and frangible means provided within said sheet material to facilitate detachment of each of said lid devices. 